by Lyne des Roberts alias La Dame dragon
Yesterday was our evening at the theater! For me it is very important that my students get the essential exposure to French Canadian culture… I refuse to confine them in a classroom doing grammar and practicing for their tests. They need to breathe some fresh air and take the pulse of the real world… Perhaps am I exceeding what I am asked to do… Perhaps am I too demanding of my trainees… Perhaps should I just do my job and go back home after class…
Well… I cannot! The idea of teaching them for the mere purpose of writing tests and passing an oral interview kills me! I want them to learn French for life… I want them to use their second language as much as they can… I want to give them the will to “live” in French beyond the government tests… I want them to have a choice… I want to pick their curiosity enough so they will wish to maintain their knowledge of the language. It is also vital that they understand the French world surrounding them…
Unlike other language providers, I take my trainees out regularly… it is a reward for their hard work. Although having dinner and attending a play in French was pretty difficult for them, especially Seema who is a beginner, they all had the time of their lives… and they are looking forward to repeating the experience.
The Théâtre de l’Île in Gatineau is a wonderful spot… Built in 1886, this former Château d’eau had many vocations throughout the years. Ravaged by a fire in 1974, the Hull City Council and the National Capital Commission joined their efforts, in 1976, to create the very first municipal theater in Québec.
Le Théâtre de L'Île situé dans le Vieux Hull
Since an image is worth a thousand words, I thought of posting pictures of our evening instead of trying and describing it with simple words… Look at the smiles and be the judge!…
Dîner sur la terrasse du Théâtre de l'Île entourée de magnifiques jardins
Tout juste avant le lever du rideau
The teacher seems more exhausted than her students!
La Dame dragon, James and Seema after the play
La Dame dragon, James and Alice... still smiling!
The three survivors of a long evening!
I dedicate this post to three brave “soldiers”, Alice, Seema and James, who were not afraid to jump into French… swim for their lives and… win the Gold Medal!!! In my book, this experience was the real test for them (and much more enjoyable!), not a fake test in some artificial setting like the ones they will have to take… Chapeau mes amis!
This blog moved here, if you are ever interested to get more information on those issues…
“Les deux pieds sur le sol, on ne peut apprendre grand-chose sur le saut en chute libre.”
Joyce Maynard
Photo Credit – Le Théâtre de l’Île: http://www.ville.gatineau.qc.ca/theatredelile.htm
diane said,
August 29, 2008 at 2:32 am
Oh, Lyne . . . looks like you created another wonderful, memorable outing. You truly do go above and beyond.
lynedesroberts said,
August 29, 2008 at 2:50 am
Diane…
Thanks for the sweet comment… Some people would say I don’t have to do so much… Well… Look at the smiles on the pics: those smiles alone are worth the trouble of organizing such outings! And… I have as much fun as my students do!